How To Get Better At Writing
Amie Kaufman On Writing
We're back after a long break with a new episode -- maybe the most useful one yet -- and an update on future plans. If you want to stay in the loop re future opportunities to learn from Amie, make sure you're on the mailing list, which you can join at
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Turning a Character Into a Plot with Lili Wilkinson (Season 4, Bonus Episode 2)
Amie Kaufman On Writing
We’ll be back in a couple of months with the second half of Season 4, and in the meantime, I have a couple of fantastic bonus episodes for you. When I got a question about how to turn a character idea into a story idea, I knew Lili was the person to answer it. Listeners, you can find Lili on Instagram at @liliwilkinson, or online at where you can learn more about her new book, A Hunger of Thorns - a sapphic, witchy, botanical book about lost girls, and an adventure into an abandoned power plant that’s built on the remains of a magical forest - and her many other works. Don't forget...
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Writing For Tabletop Games with James Sutter (Season 4, Bonus Episode 1)
Amie Kaufman On Writing
We’ll be back in a couple of months with the second half of Season 4, and in the meantime, I have a couple of fantastic bonus episodes for you. First up, we're going to hear from James Sutter. James is the co-creator of the Pathfinder and Starfinder roleplaying games—if you’re not a tabletop gamer, they’re similar to games like D&D. He’s also an author, and his latest novel, Darkhearts, came out on June 6th. Listeners, you can find James on Twitter at @jameslsutter and Instagram at james_l_sutter, or online at jameslsutter.com, where you can learn more about Darkhearts and...
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Creating a Magic System
Amie Kaufman On Writing
Creating a magic system that really works takes effort. Every time you think you’ve got it working, someone points out some what-if hypothetical, and you’re back to the drawing board, trying to plug more leaks in your logic bucket. When it does work, though – well, all of us have been swept away at one point or another by the feeling we’re truly in another world, and a story full of magic you can believe in is really special. I’m going to give you three questions I ask myself when I’m creating a magic system, using one of my own as a case study. My new book, , is...
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Research for Worldbuilding with Kate J. Armstrong
Amie Kaufman On Writing
I started writing an episode to answer a question about worldbuilding and research—and then I realised that I already have the perfect resource for you. All of you know by now that my lovely producer Kate is also , a brilliant book about girls who can gift magic to you with a kiss. Kate and I host the , where we take listeners behind the scenes as we follow our books through the publication process. We’ve discussed this exact topic – so today, I’m going to share an excerpt from that episode. It’s a little longer than the average Amie Kaufman on Writing episode, but I promise you...
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Character Descriptions
Amie Kaufman On Writing
The way a character narrating a book—or even just a character whose point of view we share—is going to describe someone they see every day is going to be really different to the way they describe a newcomer. Let's break down some of techniques you can use to describe a familiar character in a way that serves the story and feel true to the person describing them. If you're listening to this in real time, then tomorrow my new book, , will be out. The Isles of the Gods is a fantasy novel set on the high seas, full of magic, romance, slumbering gods, gangsters’ dens and forgotten...
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Creating a Map
Amie Kaufman On Writing
I LOVE maps: I think they really add something to a world—when done well, everything from the style in which the map is drawn, to what’s included can contribute to the story. Today I'm going to give you my three best tips for creating one for your story. I have a new book out in a week! is a fantasy novel set on the high seas, full of magic, romance, slumbering gods, gangsters’ dens and forgotten temples. It’s about a sailor girl who ends up saddled with an annoyingly handsome prince, and has to save him if she wants to save the world. It’s my favourite thing I’ve ever...
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Creating Romantic Tension
Amie Kaufman On Writing
All my books are romances. I love them: the yearning, the will-they-won’t-they, and sometimes just the how-on-earth-can-they of it. Whether it’s a tortured, star-crossed love affair or a cosy romance set somewhere sweet, I’m here for it. Today I’m going to give you three tips I keep in mind when writing my own romances. I have a new book out in just a couple of weeks! is a fantasy novel set on the high seas, full of magic, romance, slumbering gods, gangsters’ dens and forgotten temples. It’s about a sailor girl who ends up saddled with an annoyingly handsome prince, and has...
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Writing the End of the World with London Shah (Season 3, Bonus Episode 2)
Amie Kaufman On Writing
When I got a question about writing apocalyptic worlds, I knew that London should be the one to answer it. She has so much wisdom on this subject to share. . You will find a transcript of this episode on , which is also where you can sign up for my new newsletter and find out about my other podcast, , which is taking you behind the scenes on my upcoming novel The Isles of the Gods (you can
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Writing Ensemble Casts with M.K. England (Season 3, Bonus Episode 1)
Amie Kaufman On Writing
When I recieved a question on how to create a compelling cast of characters, I knew M.K. England was the person to answer it. M.K. is a pro at building a dynamic ensemble cast, and this episode is jam-packed with their practical advice on how to make sure your cast of characters are all distinct, unique, and play well off each other. . You will find a transcript of this episode on , which is also where you can sign up for my new newsletter and find out about my other podcast, , which is taking you behind the scenes on my upcoming novel The Isles of the Gods (you can
info_outlineThe most frequent questions I get are about how co-authoring works. So I’m going to devote the last three episodes of this season to co-authoring, answering one question each week. This episode kicks us off with some advice on how to set up a co-authoring relationship for success from the outset.
A transcript of this episode is available on my website. You can sign up for my newsletter there, which is full of information about upcoming releases and events, and my new podcast, Pub Dates, which will take you behind the scenes on my upcoming novel The Isles of the Gods.